Thursday, August 30, 2012

Week One, In No Particular Order

The Picks

Boise State @ Michigan State

Opening Odds:

Line - MSU -7.5 O/U - 55

Why:

I have been a huge (it’s more
casual, really, as I often exaggerate) Boise State supporter for many years (5
years). Like a thirsty bird, migrating from a warmer climate, their blue turf simultaneously
confused and mesmerized me. Their 2007 upset of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl had
me diving in head first. This is the last year Boise State needs to yell louder
than other teams to be heard in the BCS crowd; becoming a bona fide member by joining
the Big East in 2013. They start this season taking on the Spartans of Michigan
State in enemy territory. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing any team
from any conference defeat any team in the Big Ten, or B1G or whatever they are
these days. I will certainly be sporting my orange and blue mustang underwear
tomorrow night when this game starts.

My bets:

All support aside, Michigan State
has a stud OL and RB that will pound the ground like the B1G boys like to do.
That, and no one overlooks Boise these days. Boise State covers the line, but
loses the game.

Final Score:

BSU 35 – MSU 38

Minnesota
@ UNLV

Opening Odds:

Line – Minn -12 O/U
– 53

Why:

I will agree this matchup only intrigues the 30 or so fans each school’s football
program has, but I still hold hope UNLV will one day muster at least a slightly
respectable program in my adopted hometown. Supporting both the Cubs and
Cyclones already I have no heartache to spare, so I wait patiently for the
Rebels to get their act together before allowing them the privilege of becoming
my second-string team.

My bets:

UNLV was not good last year. Minnesota was not good last year. This is
a new year. The public is betting heavy on UNLV, but that is probably more of
an indictment of the Golden Gophers than an endorsement of the Scarlet and
Grey. I’m going to wait until the line gets down to around a touchdown, then,
take Minnesota.

Final Score:

Minn 42 – UNLV 21

Tulsa
@ Iowa State

Opening Odds:

Line – Tulsa -2 O/U – 54

Why:

You should expect weekly Iowa State entries from me this year so get
used to it and stop your bitching. You can probably also expect me to be wrong on
these matchups, as I cannot separate the bias from fact. Fact is, right now,
Iowa State is undefeated and in a tie for first in the Big XII. Yea, us!

Tulsa,
however, is a very dangerous program from Conference USA and completely capable
of beating the Cyclones if we are the same team that has resided in Ames during
the last century. I believe we are different. I believe we are better. I
believe coach Rhodes has been bequeathed to us by the God of College Football
himself to spare us long suffering fans. This is the same belief I hold every
year in August, but this year is different. I promise.

Last year, Tulsa had a more productive offense and statistically better
defense than the we did in Ames. Iowa State, conversely, had two Quarterbacks
whose game specific heroics hid a horrible stat line of inconsistency and poor
decision making. If that situation has improved, which none of us will know
until Saturday afternoon, then we will not be beaten. If it hasn’t, then I will
quickly slump into my late September state of Cyclone acceptance and partial apathy.

Interesting side note: Tulsa and Las Vegas reside on the same Latitude line.

My bets:

This is the first of three matchups between Iowa State and a team from
Oklahoma. Why a landlocked school, such as Tulsa, would have a mascot as silly
as a Golden Hurricane is beyond me.

Final Score:

Tulsa 10 – ISU 42

Ohio
@ Penn State

Opening Odds:

Line – PSU -15.5 O/U
– 43

Why:

I’m not picking this game because of the scandal that occurred in Happy
Valley this past off season. Nor, is it because Penn State has someone other
than Joe Paterno haunting the sidelines for the first time since, what, 1900?
I’m choosing it because the opening line had Penn State favored by 15 and a
hook, and at the time I wrote this post (Tuesday), it was already down to 5.5
in some local books. For a 12 year local such as myself, that’s interesting. Apparently,
everyone else is choosing this game for the same reasons I am not.

My bets:

I can’t imagine Penn State will be good for any time in the near
future. Ohio wins, but I can’t guarantee a cover at this point. At this pace they
may be a two touchdown favorite, come Saturday.

Final Score:

Ohio 21 – PSU 13

GOTW

Alabama
vs. Michigan

Opening Odds:

Line – Alabama -11 O/U –
42

Why:

Wow, do I hate this game. It embodies everything I despise about
college football: Michigan and Nick Saban. Throw in Cowboy Stadium, and we have
the perfect storm of irritating television viewing in store for me Saturday evening.
Fortunately, I should have enough BBQ and beer in me by this point of the day
that I will be oblivious of what is transpiring in HD in front of me. My only
hope is that crazy Jerry Jones/Papa John’s commercial is shown every television
timeout. That will almost certainly clear room for more of my delicious pulled
pork.

My bets:

Michigan has the experience, Alabama has the talent. They both have
bloated coaches. I’m just glad the whole “not going to tie my shoes cause I’m
so damn fast” fashion statement didn’t catch on like baggy pants did. God, I
hate both teams so much…Screw it, Alabama wins but doesn’t cover.